Where Wildflowers Roam and Trolls Lurk

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens has been one of Allen’s mom’s favorite places — and not just recently. We gathered the crew — Allen’s sister, her partner, mom, and the two of us — and set off from Auburn for a day that promised flowers, fresh air, and lots of scenic Maine countryside.

The Garden is filled with all kinds of flowers.

We first visited the gardens with mom sometime between 2011 and 2014, back when the gardens were still growing into the destination they are today. In those few years since it has grown quite a bit, and fast. Over the past ten years, the facility has introduced greenhouses, hoop houses, and an advanced science center as components of a comprehensive initiative to transform this tranquil retreat into a year-round destination for horticultural enthusiasts and those who like to stroll around.

The Scenic Route

The drive itself felt like a mini adventure. We wound our way through some of Maine’s most iconic towns: Brunswick where Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1851, Wiscasset with its antique shops and infamous traffic bottleneck and Damariscotta, where the clapboard buildings and river views practically beg for a postcard.

As we crossed the Kennebec River, we caught a picture of Bath Iron Works which has built hundreds of naval ships over the years, from World War II destroyers to cutting-edge AEGIS-class vessels. Most people don’t realize how important Maine is to our Navy. Bath Iron Works holds a prestigious spot among the largest and most influential shipbuilders in the United States. During World War II, the yard was launching a destroyer every 17 days. It’s not just a shipyard—it’s a symbol of Maine’s industrial grit and maritime pride. As you might imagine, Allen always enjoyed peering over the side of the bridge to glimpse the big navy ships as a young lad.

We took this picture of Bath Iron Works as we crossed the Kennebec River.

Boothbay Harbor was our final pass-through after reaching the gardens — a town that always feels like it’s halfway between a painting and a memory. We have a chime hanging from our back porch in Washington that supposedly mimics the tone of the bell buoy in Boothbay Harbor.

The route was dotted with glimpses of the coast and those classic Maine homes that seem to whisper stories from a hundred summers past. It was the kind of drive that makes you slow down, not just for the scenery, but because you don’t want to miss a thing, and because road construction insisted, we stop.

We enjoyed watching this turtle succeed in climbing onto this log.

The Gardens Revisited

From the moment we arrived, it was clear the gardens had grown — the buildings increased, and the parking lot was packed. The majority of the license plates were from out of state.

The garden spaces are tranquil and fragrant.

The gardens are not just a collection of plants; they’re a series of outdoor spaces, each with its own theme and personality. Wide, smooth paths made it easy for Mom to get around, though we did encounter a few surprise staircases that the map didn’t exactly highlight. (Note to future visitors: the gardens are beautiful, but they still like to keep you on your toes.)

The bridges and gravel sidewalk made walking easy.

Everywhere we looked, there was something new to admire — bursts of Maine wildflowers, elegant ornamental trees, a tidy vegetable garden, and blooms that looked like they’d been flown in from a tropical island. Even if you don’t know a peony from a petunia, the colors and textures are enough to make you stop and stare.

Can you spot the frog?

Sculptures peek out from unexpected corners — some playful, some contemplative — and they caught our attention just as much as the flowers. There are ponds and fountains adding movement and sound, making the whole place feel alive and gently theatrical.

A unique aspect of the art in the gardens is the trolls. Five giant trolls lurk. They are all hand-built giants crafted from recycled wood by Danish sculptor Thomas Dambo. Each one is pieced together from pallets, branches, and cast-off lumber, standing guard in the grove of trees. According to the story, the five trolls—Birk, Roskva, Gro, Søren, and Lilja—each represent a part of a tree and were created to protect the forest.

One of five trolls guarding the forest.

Benches were plentiful, perfect for resting, people-watching, or pretending you know Latin plant names while sipping water like a seasoned botanist. It does get busy, so if you’re hoping for a quieter stroll, consider visiting in the off-season.

Many interesting sculptures are found throughout the gardens.

The gardens offer a beautiful array of flora and fauna.

A Memory in Bloom

In the end, even Allen had to admit it was worth the trip. We left with a camera full of photos, a renewed appreciation for Maine’s natural beauty, and a shared memory that felt like a gift — not just for Mom’s birthday, but for all of us.

The most beautiful of all the flowers is in this picture.